Cops: Robber arrested after victim confronts him

A Baldwin man who broke into two vehicles in West Hempstead was arrested Friday after one of the vehicle owners confronted and then chased him, Nassau County police said. Keith L. Crews, 48, of 700 Merrick Rd., was scheduled to be arraigned Saturday on charges of robbery, criminal mischief and petty larceny, police said. Crews first broke into a truck parked in a rear lot on Hempstead Avenue shortly...

Crews first broke into a truck parked in a rear lot on Hempstead Avenue shortly before 9 a.m. and took a cellphone, police said. He then broke into a 2003 Jeep in the rear of another Hempstead Avenue address and stole the car stereo, but was confronted by the owner, a 67-year-old man, police said.

Crews punched the man in the chest and fled, but the victim pursued him, police said. Crews dropped the stereo in the rear of another Hempstead Avenue address after the victim caught up to him, police said.

Crews continued his flight and was arrested a short time later by officers from the Fourth Precinct who saw him at another Hempstead Avenue property, police said.

The 67-year-old victim was treated at a hospital for back and chest pain, police said.